We’re in the thick of the Festive Fixtures now, with Premier League clubs staring down three more matches in a nine-day span.
The run begins Saturday with Matchday 15’s opening tilt -- a big one between second-place Leicester City hosting third-place Manchester United at the King Power Stadium -- and goes through January 4th’s only match, a scrap between Southampton and Liverpool at St. Mary’s.T
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Who’s got it worst? Who’s got it best?
Here are the opponents for all 20 teams, coupled with some matching comments from a certain holiday film starring Cornelius Crane Chase.
“You serious, Clark?”
These clubs won’t be as worried as the rest if someone takes a red card to get New Years’ off.
Burnley begins us with the most straightforward run of fixtures, with two definite six-pointers at home and a Leeds side without defensive acumen.
Blades, Liverpool, and Spurs all have one tricky fixture but won’t be thinking about anything other than nne points.
20. Burnley: Leeds (A), Sheffield United (H), Fulham (H)
19. Sheffield United: Everton (H), Burnley (A), Palace (A)
18. Liverpool: West Brom (H), Newcastle (A), Southampton (A)
17. Tottenham: Wolves (A), Fulham (H), Leeds (H)
“‘Tis the season to be merry”
There isn’t much reason for these guys to say out loud they’re planning on going nine-for-nine with points, but at least six points can be found in the space between hoping and expectation.
16. Crystal Palace: Aston Villa (A), Leicester (H), Sheffield United (H)
15. Leicester City: Man United (H), Palace (A), Newcastle (A)
14. West Ham: Brighton (H), Southampton (A), Everton (A)
13. Arsenal: Chelsea (H), Brighton (A), West Brom (A)
“Little full, lotta sap”
Some tricky, tricky fixtures where at least one of the matches signifies a win that would be considered a big upset.
12. Brighton and Hove Albion: West Ham (A), Arsenal (H), Wolves (H)
11. Leeds United: Burnley (H), West Brom (A), Tottenham (A)
10. Fulham: Southampton (H), Tottenham (A), Burnley (A)
9. Southampton: Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Liverpool (H)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Southampton players celebrate after Stuart Armstrong makes it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary’s Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Southampton, England. A limited number of spectators (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton FC via Getty Images
“We’re gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas”
This trio isn’t counting on dropping points but they are all driving their hopeful comments regarding the tone and tenor of this upcoming holiday season out of a place of anger and some level of doubt.
8. Everton: Sheffield United (A), Man City (H), West Ham (H)
7. Manchester United: Leicester (A), Wolves (H), Aston Villa (H)
6. Man City: Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (A)
5. Chelsea: Arsenal (A), Aston Villa (H), Man City (H)
“Take a look around you, Ellen. We’re at the threshold of hell”
Self-explanatory.
4. West Bromwich Albion: Liverpool (A), Leeds (H), Arsenal (H)
3. Aston Villa: Palace (H), Chelsea (A), Man United (A)
2. Wolves: Tottenham (H), Man United (A), Brighton (A)
1. Newcastle United: Man City (A), Liverpool (H), Leicester City (H)